Former RAF co-pilot admits negligence 15.11.11
13The co-pilot of an RAF helicopter which crashed, killing the pilot and two others, has pleaded guilty to negligence.
Ex-Flight Lieutenant Robert Hamilton, who was left paraplegic by the crash, was on board the £20 million Puma when it crashed in a field at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, on August 8 2007.
The pilot, Flight Lieutenant David Sale, 28, from Norton, near Stockton, Teesside, died along with crewman Sergeant Phillip Burfoot, 27, from Cardiff, and 17-year-old Army recruit Private Sean Tait, from Glasgow, who was serving with the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Twelve servicemen were on board the aircraft, which was on a trooping exercise at the time, including three from the RAF and nine soldiers.
Appearing at the military court centre in Bulford, Wiltshire, Hamilton pleaded guilty to neglect in flying likely to cause loss of life or bodily injury.
He faced a further charge of wilful neglect which will lay on the file.